With the biggest surprise being just how long it had taken them to license rescue this classic anime series, Sentai Filmworks have confirmed they have license rescued Azumanga Daioh. This was an anime first localised by ADV Films back in the day, and one which has over the past few years also been license rescued by Madman Entertainment in Australia and New Zealand.
Azumanga Daioh is based on the original 1999 manga written and illustrated by Kiyohiko Azuma. This 2002 anime was directed by Hiroshi Nishikiori, with series composition by Ichiro Okouchi. Animation came from J.C. Staff, which is still well and truly active today.
Azumanga Daioh is a witty romp into the misadventures of six high-school girls – Chiyo, Tomo, Yomi, Sakaki, Kagura, and a transfer student from Osaka, aptly nicknamed “Osaka.” Under the “guidance” of some rather peculiar teachers, the girls try their best to survive wacky school culture festivals, bread-eating contests, a teacher obsessed with seeing his female student in short shorts, awkward (and sometimes dangerous!) trips to Chiyo’s summer home, and more!
Like Angelic Layer and a couple of other titles, Azumanga Daioh will be available as part of the “Sentai Selects” line of classic animated features. It will be available soon with both the original Japanese dub and the also familiar English dub.
